Understanding Three Nursing Roles: LPN vs. RN vs. FNP

A group of three smiling nurses

by Carson-Newman University Online12 May 2020

There are more than 100 professional nursing roles in the United States, ranging from school nurses to cardiac care nurses. The demand for nurses is also steadily growing. By 2026, there may be more than 438,000 new nursing jobs available.

Nursing Roles: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

What is an LPN’s Role?

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are usually the first point of contact for patients’ friends and family, tasked with explaining procedures and care programs that affect the patient.

LPNs also frequently interact with RNs and doctors. Therefore, solid communication skills and the ability to effectively convey information is a must. A comforting bedside manner and a genuine desire to care for others are the hallmarks of every successful LPN.

One of the main differentiators of an LPN is the level of education required and corresponding responsibilities.

On the bright side, among nursing roles, the biggest growth area for an LPN is long-term care and hospice. With more Americans living longer today, a large elderly population will need the trusted aid of LPNs to assist with routine living.

Outlook

Much of this is due to an aging Baby Boomer population and the need to treat chronic health problems in residential care facilities and home health environments.

This enormous demand will give LPNs, as well as other nursing roles, plenty of leverage in terms of salary expectations.

As professional experience grows, an LPN can choose to further their education, assume additional tasks, and unlock new opportunities that come with greater salary and responsibility.

Nursing Roles: Registered Nurse (RN)

What is an RN’s Role?

Of the healthcare industry’s many nursing roles, registered nurses (RNs) have the most varied task description when comparing an LPN vs. RN vs. FNP.

An RN cares for patients in a variety of settings including hospitals, medical offices, and nursing homes. RNs also work with physicians and other team members to provide the best course of treatment, and they help educate patients and their families about health issues.

What is an RN’s Typical Day?

An RN’s typical day varies depending on the place of business and the particular department or setting.

The daily nurse-patient ratio is also determined largely by the nursing environment. RNs who work as hospice nurses typically oversee less patients than those who work in hospital settings. In turn, they may have more time to connect with patients.

For instance, a surgical unit might allocate one RN for every 4 - 6 patients during the day shift, and one for every 6 - 10 patients during the night shift, whereas a hospice nurse may only see one patient during an entire workday.

Where do RNs Work?

RNs work in hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices, clinics, and many other places where there are nursing roles to be filled.

In order to maximize their compensation, many RNs specialize in one or more areas of patient care. These areas can be specific to a certain work setting (e.g. rehabilitation nurse), demographic (e.g. pediatric nurse), or disease (e.g. oncology nurse).

Each of these nursing roles has its own degree path, challenges, and rewards.

Outlook

Two of the biggest reasons to become an RN are the opportunity to care for others and excellent job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2.7 million RNs were employed in the U.S. in 2014 — a number expected to reach 3.19 million by 2024.

This 16% increase is faster than the average for most occupations, and further underscores the promising future for students interested in professional nursing roles.

Nursing Roles: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

What is an FNP’s Role?

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is responsible for delivering family-focused care.

As such, an FNP works with patients of all ages — from infant to elderly — and provides diverse healthcare services. These include treating illness and injury, as well as teaching people how to live healthy lives.

Comparingly, FNPs are often a family’s primary care provider, charged with diagnosing conditions as well as treating them, including dispensing prescriptions, monitoring side effects of medications, creating individualized treatment plants, and referring the patient to specialists.

Excellent communication skills and natural empathy are key characteristics for FNPs. Moreover, among other nursing roles, it’s especially vital that an FNP be equally comfortable working independently or collaborating in a healthcare team environment.

In some states, FNPs can practice autonomously, similar to physicians. In these states FNPs are able to prescribe medicine, refer patients to specialists, and treat chronic conditions without physician oversight.

Compared to an RN, an FNP’s educational training is more extensive, requiring a four-year bachelor’s degree and additionally completing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Because an FNP needs a strong working knowledge of healthcare topics, many take courses in health policy, epidemiology, and pharmacology. It’s also common for an FNP to be CLS, BLS, and/or CPR certified.

Typical Day

An FNP’s daily responsibilities are very similar to those of a primary care physician. An FNP will usually begin their day reviewing their patients’ schedules and charts.

Over the course of an hour, an FNP could very well meet with three or more patients, using the time to diagnose conditions, conduct wellness exams, prescribe medications, and make referrals to specialists.

The most effective FNPs reserve a portion of each appointment for a conversation with their patients. This is important to establish trust and a strong rapport, especially since many FNPs provide long-term care.

What makes the FNP role unique is the ability to care for patients throughout their lives, compared to the role of an LPN and RN.

Where do FNPs Work?

FNPs work in a variety of settings, including:

hospitals

private offices/private practice

nurse-managed health centers

home health care

community health centers

FNPs are also qualified for positions in administration and education. However, they shine most in their capacity to deliver holistic patient care.

Since they can treat patients across the lifespan, FNPs are vital to expanding access to care for patients in rural areas.

A nationwide shortage of physicians has left many rural communities without adequate health care, but FNPs are equipped to rise to the challenge.

Outlook

With the aging Baby Boomer generation and subsequent retirement of nurses, the advanced-degree nursing employment rate is expected to increase by 26% by 2028, faster than most other career opportunities. This is especially the case for advanced practice nurses like FNPs, as they are clinically prepared to address challenges of today's complex healthcare system.

FNPs provide a cost-effective solution for ensuring that an increasing number of people have access to high-quality services.

As the number of FNPs grow within their community, more people will have access to high-quality services.

Benefits of Becoming an FNP

According to a 2019 article in U.S. News & World Report, an FNP is one of the top five “Best Healthcare Jobs” and in the top seven of the “100 Best Jobs” overall.

Nursing is one of the most rewarding professions you can choose. When considering the various roles of an LPN vs. RN vs. FNP, their education, their responsibilities, and their career outlooks, remember that nursing is a career that has a place for everyone, with rewards and growth opportunities for all.

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